Presentation
Unique in Africa, Etosha National Park is a large protected area located in the Kunene region of Namibia, 400 km north of the capital Windhoek and 125 km south of the border with Angola. Established in 1907 during the era of German colonization, it initially served as a vast hunting reserve covering no less than 93,240 km². In 1967, it was granted national park status and its area was reduced to 22,935 km², of which only one-third – the dry lake of Etosha Pan – is accessible to the public.
With nearly 200,000 visitors per year, Etosha National Park is among the top tourist attractions for a safari in Namibia. It is also one of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa and one of the most "healthy" (malaria-free) and accessible in Southern Africa.
Furthermore, the park is well-equipped, offering a wide range of accommodations, as well as restaurants, viewpoints, shops, and gas stations. The luxurious camps established on the park’s outskirts have upgraded its accommodation offerings to satisfy even the most demanding travelers.
Given its high popularity, it’s best to book in advance.
Why visit Etosha National Park?
There are many national parks in Namibia, each with its own attractions and unique features. However, Etosha remains a must-see.
People visit it mainly for the abundance of its wildlife. Indeed, it is home to no fewer than 114 species of mammals and 340 species of birds. This impressive wildlife can be seen throughout the year.
In winter, despite the dry ground, zebras, gazelles, oryx, and springboks gather in large numbers! In areas where the vegetation is denser, visitors are greeted by a parade of elephants, leopards, and endangered black rhinos. Meanwhile, lions blend into the golden grasslands, while giraffes tower above the dry vegetation.
During the rainy season, the dry lake fills with water, attracting a colony of pink flamingos, much to the delight of visitors and wildlife photography enthusiasts.
Among the 340 bird species recorded in the park, the European bee-eater is one of the most popular. The park also hosts a significant population of ostriches, the largest bird in the world, and the Kori bustard, the heaviest flying bird.
Etosha is also visited for the beauty of its landscapes and the diversity of its vegetation, reflecting Namibia’s varied environment, where deserts and semi-deserts meet lush savannas where animals roam freely.
Etosha National Park offers visitors a contrasting landscape made up of vast open grasslands, forests of tall thorny trees (camel thorn trees), Mopani trees, and an impressive marshland covering an area of 4,731 km². This great diversity of landscapes fosters the development of the park's wildlife.
The Etosha Pan
One cannot speak of Etosha National Park without mentioning the famous Etosha Pan, a vast white expanse with shimmering reflections covering about 4,800 km², nearly a quarter of the park's total area. Its 130 km length and 50 km width at certain points make it the largest salt reserve in Africa, visible from space!
The origin of this natural mineral "pan" dates back more than 100 million years. Etosha Pan was once a lake fed by the Kunene River from Angola, which, due to tectonic plate movements, changed its course to flow into the Atlantic Ocean, thus drying up the lake, leaving only traces of alkaline clay today.
In the language of the Ovambo tribe, Etosha means "great white space." This name was given following the discovery of this vast basin in 1851 by the first European explorers, Sir Francis Galton and Charles Andersson, with the help of Ovambo traders.
At that time, the region was inhabited by a population of hunter-gatherers living in perfect harmony with large herds of wildlife.
The salt residues on the dry lake now form small mounds of clay and salt that serve as licking stones for some animals in the park. During the rainy season, water basins (from rain) form on certain parts of the basin, which, in particularly wet years, can become a lake 10 cm deep, attracting thousands of pink flamingos.
Etosha Pan is, in fact, the only known mass breeding site for pink flamingos in Namibia. It's no wonder that Etosha Pan was used as a backdrop during the filming of "2001: A Space Odyssey" in 2001!
When to visit Etosha National Park?
Regardless of the season, Etosha National Park has much to delight wildlife lovers and those who enjoy vast spaces.
Visiting Etosha National Park in winter
In winter, the Etosha Pan is very dry, forming a vast white expanse whose particles spread throughout the park, covering bushes and even visitors in a "dusty" layer.
However, this does not deter wildlife, particularly zebras and springboks, from continuing to roam the park. Winter is also very much appreciated by visitors for its mildness and the majestic spectacle of wildlife concentration near waterholes. It is, in fact, the preferred time for photographers on their photo safaris in Namibia. Just sit and wait for the subjects – the wildlife – to pose near the waterholes.
Visiting Etosha National Park in summer
The atmosphere of the park is very different in summer due to the abundant rains that transform it into a true oasis! Summer is also the time when newborn animals discover life in the park and birds rediscover it! In particular, the park welcomes many migratory birds from Europe seeking to rejuvenate in the South.
On the other hand, driving in the park during the rainy season can be challenging due to flooded roads. It’s best to ensure you have a well-equipped vehicle to make the most of your visit.
Where to stay when visiting Etosha National Park?
Etosha National Park, being one of the most popular parks in Southern Africa, offers a wide range of accommodation options suitable for all budgets. It’s advisable to make reservations well in advance.
Some camps are located within the park itself, while others are on the outskirts. Most camps have restaurants, souvenir shops, and swimming pools, and it’s often possible to observe animals coming to quench their thirst without even having to leave your room!
Okaukuejo, Halali, and Namutoni are the three main camps located inside the park, connecting Anderson Gate in the South to Von Lindequist Gate in the East. They offer various types of accommodations ranging from simple camping to comfortable chalets overlooking illuminated oases.
The luxurious Dolomite and Onkoshi, also located in the heart of the reserve, offer an exclusive safari experience for the most discerning travelers.
Outside the park, there are numerous accommodations, from luxury lodges to bush camps for an authentic safari experience, especially in the East and South of the park. The advantage of these accommodations located outside the park is that they allow exploration of the area beyond the park!
These camps, which are well-equipped, typically offer their own activities and are particularly suited for families with children and groups of friends.
The eastern part of the park (Namutoni), in particular, beyond Von Lindequist Gate and near the Onguma private game reserve, hosts many accommodations, including the picturesque Mokuti Etosha Lodge, the luxurious Mushara Collection, and the surprising Onguma Collection.
The southern part of the park (Okaukuejo), beyond Anderson Gate, the main entrance to Etosha, also features charming lodges, providing amenities suited to all desires and budgets. Among the most popular are the Etosha Safari Lodge and Etosha Village.
It’s worth noting that until a few years ago, access to the western part of the park was restricted to tour operators with special permits. This area is now open to visitors staying at the Dolomite Camp, located at the base of the hill of the same name.
The camp is accessible via the road from Okaukuejo, approximately 175 km long, dotted with many water points where wildlife comes to drink. It can also be accessed from Galton Gate, located on the western edge of the park.
The vegetation in this part of the park is quite different from that in the South and East. The landscapes are greener and more hilly, and the Etosha Pan takes on an astonishing brown-red hue, making it feel like you are in a completely different park!
The wildlife itself differs somewhat as well. The Hartmann's mountain zebra and the black-faced impala, for instance, are only found in this part of the park.
How to access Etosha National Park?
Etosha National Park is accessible via four gates:
- The Anderson Gate located at the southern end of the park and accessible via the C38 from the village of Outjo. The Okaukuejo Camp is closest to this gate.
- The Von Lindequist Gate located to the east, near the town of Tsumeb, and connected by the B1. The Namutoni Camp is nearest to this gate.
- The Galton Gate, located at the southwestern end of the park.
- The King Nehale Lya Mpingana Gate, located at the northern end of the park, 48 km from the main road at Ondangwa.
Namibie